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Suffering #3

On November 9, 2015 / Character, Christian Basics, Endurance, Faith, God's Will for Me, Sin, Strengthing, Suffering, Victory

Things Above Thought
TAT #59
Suffering #3

Fact #30 Trials can come into my life that are for God’s purposes (Job 1:7).

What are the other times that God wants me to suffer?

God constructed the laws of cause & effect and actions & results. One such law is that disobedience to God (sin) can bring suffering. Therefore certain pain can be a result of sin. This pain can be used to recognize our sin and repent. It can also be considered to be from God and therefore good. It’s just like our visit to the ole Doc: “ Doc, when I do this it hurts! Well if it hurts when you do that then don’t do that.”

For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong. (1 Peter 3:17)

Suffering #2

On November 2, 2015 / Character, Christian Basics, Christian Values, Endurance, Eternal, Faith, Goals, God's Will for Me, Strengthing, Suffering, Trials, Victory

Things Above Thought
TAT #58
Suffering #2

Fact #30 Trials can come into my life that are for God’s purposes (Job 1:7).

There are times that God wants us to suffer!?!
When does God want me to suffer?

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2–4)

In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; (1 Peter 1:6–7)

And if the above does not happen then:

If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. (1 Corinthians 3:15 underline added)

God wants our faith to be perfect and complete thus producing eternal praise, glory, and honor. Godly suffering produces such results!

Suffering

On October 30, 2015 / Character, Christian Basics, Strengthing, Suffering, Victory

Things Above Thought
TAT #57
Suffering #1

Fact #30 Trials can come into my life that are for God’s purposes (Job 1:7).

Why do I have to suffer?
Why is there so much suffering in the world?
Why does the Bible sometimes make suffering sound like a good thing?

Suffering is greatly misunderstood. Some say: “If there is a God why does He allow suffering?” I think what many are actually saying is: “If there is a God and He is in control why is He allowing me to suffer?” Some preachers say God wants you to be continually happy and prosperous but Job, Jeremiah, John the Baptist, James, and Paul disagree. While there is a peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7) and a joy that is from the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22) there is also a call to suffering:

“For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,” (Philippians 1:29)

There are times that God wants us to suffer!

Enjoy struggling with that thought and wait for the next TAT ☺.

God’s Plan & my plans

On October 30, 2015 / Christian Basics, Faith, God's Will, God's Will for Me, Suffering, Trials

Things Above Thought
TAT #56
God’s Plan and my plans

God wants me to be happy, prosperous, and satisfied so — is that how I should make my plans?
Well maybe, but first consider these:

“Afterward Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth.” (Job 3:1)
“He sent and had John beheaded in the prison.” (Matthew 14:10)
“And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised,” (Hebrews 11:39).
“But first He (Christ) must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.” (Luke 17:25)
“Although He was a Son, (Christ) He learned obedience from the things which He suffered.” (Hebrews. 5:8)

“for I will show him (Paul) how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.” (Acts 9:16)
“For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps.” (1 Peter 2:21)

“fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews12:2)
“More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, (Philippians 3:8)

Just make sure that what you consider to be happy and prosperous, and also satisfies you, are the same “things” which Christ considers to be joyous and prosperous and satisfies Him.

Fact # 33: “I am here to serve God and carry out His plan, not to have God serve me and carry out my plans.” (Job 38; Isaiah 43:7).

Fruit

On October 30, 2015 / Character, Christian Values, Faith, Strengthing, Suffering

Things Above Thought
TAT #48
Fruit

Some questions have rolled in about the supreme court ruling requiring all states to recognize gay marriage. Please let me point out two more facts: 1) A poll revealed that the president’s popularity increased immediately after the ruling. 2) Most of the Christians I have talked to are disturbed about the situation. But I think there is a more disturbing situation, e.g.:

“If the roots of the tree are rotten don’t complain about the fruit.”

Prepared?

On October 30, 2015 / Character, Christian Basics, Endurance, Faith, Helper, Strengthing, Suffering, Trials, Victory

Things Above Thoughts
TAT #44
Prepared

Hostility toward God’s chosen is growing worldwide.
Are you prepared for an obedient life to the LORD in light of this?
Really?
How have you prepared for it?

Let’s go through a short check list:
1.   Strong, intimate and consistent relationships with members of God’s spiritual family?
2.   Consistent Bible study?
3.   Consistent prayer throughout the day?
4.   Recognizing and responding to the Holy Spirit tugging on your heart and working on your character?
5.   A desire for God to use you to glorify Him with your coworkers and worldly friends who are now becoming contentious and hostile toward God’s chosen?
6.   A growing desire to throw off religious beliefs which are created and promoted by human institutions and return to a simple life of obedience base on accurate biblical knowledge?
7.   Feelings of inadequacy and a longing to be with Him in your eternal home?

I’m so convicted by my lack of preparation I think I’ll stop writing now and go study.

FOCUS!

On October 30, 2015 / Character, Christian Basics, Christian Values, Endurance, Eternal, Faith, Goals, Suffering, Trials, Victory

Things Above Thoughts
TAT #41
Focus

Doing the Lord’s will is not always enjoyable. I know that sounds like heresy to some Christians but look at Job, Abraham, Moses, David, Isaiah, Jeremiah, John the Baptist, Paul, and of course our Lord Jesus Christ, they all had lives of great suffering but they endured. Why were they able to do so? I also know I am called to suffer (Heb.12:2; Col. 1:24–28; 2 Timothy 2:3).
James tells me that suffering can make me perfect and complete (James 1:2–4). But why is it important for me to be complete and perfect? Hebrews 11 and 2 Tim. 2:12 answers that question – to prepare me for a particular spot in God’s eternal kingdom. I know my salvation was achieved by Christ and is secure but there is more possible, (1 Corinthians 3:14–15; 2 Tim. 2:12; Rev. 22:5).
The strange thing about my suffering is that when I focus on the joys, comforts, and present rewards on this earth I become less comfortable and less intimate with my Lord Jesus. Present earthly joys, comforts, and rewards blind me from the joys of my present sufferings. But when I focus on the future eternal joys and intimacy with Christ then my present sufferings seem to disappear.
It is my eternal focus that strengthens my present endurance in all my sufferings and turns those sufferings into joy (Heb. 12:2). Look at the focus of each of the following verses.

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, being convinced of what we do not see.
(Heb11:1 NET Bible)

For if only in this life – I – have hope in Christ, – I – should be pitied more than anyone – else.
(1 Cor. 15:19 NET Bible, personalization added)

But as it is, they desire a better country, that is a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them. (Heb. 11:16)

fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Heb. 12:2)

Strength

On October 29, 2015 / Christian Basics, Strengthing, Suffering, Trials, Victory

Things Above Thought
TAT # 29
Faithful

How in the world do I stay faithful to the biblical knowledge I already know?

We must continue to hold firmly to our declaration of faith. The one who made the promise is faithful. We must also consider how to encourage each other to show love and to do good things. We should not stop gathering together with other believers, as some of you are doing. Instead, we must continue to encourage each other even more as we see the day of the Lord coming. (Hebrews 10:23-25 GWN)

This is not a “Sunday Church” meeting this is a gathering of trusted believers for the encouraging and support of each other.

Songs

On October 28, 2015 / Christian Basics, Darkness & Light, Satan, Suffering, Trials, Victory

Things Above Thoughts
TAT #22
Songs

The information about the conflict between God and Satan is not new. Ever since this hidden information was revealed to Paul it has been readily available to us (Acts 26:18; Ephesians 3:9–10; 2 Corinthians 2:11). Our mothers and fathers even sang about it!

“For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe”
(A Mighty Fortress Is Our God)

“Though the wrong seems so oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.”
(This Is My Father’s World)

“The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him; his rage we can endure, for low, his doom is sure;”
(A Mighty Fortress Is Our God)

“Jesus who died shall be satisfied, and earth and heaven be one.”
(This Is My Father’s World)

“Sure I must fight, if I would reign; increase my courage, Lord”
(Am I a Soldier of the Cross?)

“Let earth adore, let angels minds inquirer no more”
(And Can It Be That I Should Gain)

“Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the God I love; here’s my heart, O take and seal it; seal it for thy courts above.”
(Come, Thou Fount)

Stay strong and keep singing, you are in good company (Hebrews 12:1)!

Suffering

On October 28, 2015 / Christian Basics, Christian Values, Endurance, Eternal, Suffering, Victory

Things Above Thoughts
TAT #21
Suffering & Value

We all sin every once in a while but we have a loving Father:

And have you forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as sons? “My son, do not scorn the Lord’s discipline or give up when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves and chastises every son he accepts.” (Hebrews 12:5–6 NET)

But He does so (disciplines us) for our benefit, that we may share His holiness. (Hebrews 12:10b)

His discipline reveals His love for us and His holiness is only valuable to us when heaven is our value.

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